SETAR, Orange, Telxius, and APUA, introduced CELIA, a new high-capacity express cable with the latest fibre optic technology. CELIA will extend for more than 3,700 km, connecting key points in the Caribbean with the United States.
Dec 03, 2024
Members of the CELIA consortium, SETAR, Orange, Telxius, and APUA, introduced CELIA, a new high-capacity express cable in the Caribbean region that connects Aruba, Martinique, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Boca Raton in Florida. Using the latest fibre optic technology, Caribbean ELIte Alliance (CELIA), will extend for more than 3,700 km, connecting key points in the Caribbean with the United States, presenting a minimum of 8 pairs of fibre, offering a minimum of 22 Terabits per second (Tbps) per fibre pair, and an initial capacity approximately more than 170 Tbps. CELIA will be operational in the third semester of 2027.
CELIA is a consortium member of SETAR, Orange, Telxius, and APUA serving as a landing partner in Aruba, Martinique, Puerto Rico & Boca Raton and Antigua respectively. Alcatel Submarine Networks has been selected as an end-to-end provider of submarine cable infrastructure, connecting CELIA to its landing partners. The contract is already in force and includes options to increase capacity and add landing points again.
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CELIA improves connectivity in the Caribbean region by offering reliable data transfer and high-speed, low-latency Internet access that sustains and meets the growing digital demand in the region and is a strategic route to providing high quality of service. In addition, CELIA invests in and ensures that connectivity is available to global data networks. Global connectivity creates opportunities for sustainable economic growth, reducing the digital divide, and improving network resilience.
The CELIA project will incorporate high standards of environmental protection and biodiversity preservation in both terrestrial and marine territories at every stage of the project. The selection of the route and different infrastructures has been carefully studied to avoid more sensitive areas and apply less invasive technologies.
As our national telecommunications company, SETAR is proud to be part of the CELIA project that guarantees connection for the future generation. “For an island like Aruba, it is crucial for us to connect to international data networks to attract private investment, stimulate local companies, education, essential services, the hospitality sector and for our integration into the global economy. – Roland Croes, CEO of SETAR.
“The CELIA project represents a significant advance in connectivity and will improve network resilience in the Caribbean region. By using the latest in Fiber Optics technology, we can offer very high Internet speeds and ensure data transfer capacity while meeting strict environmental standards. This project will contribute greatly to local sustainable economic growth and connections to other territories are being studied. We are also proud that our subsidiary Orange Marine will be in charge of the marine deployment of the cable.” – Samir Benzahra, Director of Orange Antilles Guyane.
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“CELIA is another major step in the expansion of Telxius’ global network, increasing capacity and adding more redundant routes across the Americas. We are committed to offering the lowest latency and highest connectivity throughput for our commercial customers in the Caribbean and improving the experience for our users globally.” – Mario Martin, CEO of Telxius.
“This project is a major step forward in the process of recreating the digital environment of Antigua and Barbuda. It demonstrates APUA’s continued commitment to providing the best connectivity solutions that will be vital to the country’s economic growth, supporting companies, transforming communities and positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a pioneer in digital transformation in the OECS.” – John Bradshaw, General Manager of APUA.
